Former Leverette school burglarized after police camera failed

Former Leverette Elementary, 1111 E. Manhattan Blvd, ws burglarized after a surveillance camera's motor ran out of gas.

A long-debated proposed land swap between the city of Toledo and Toledo Public Schools took an odd turn today when one councilman questioned why no one was told the former Leverette Junior High School was burglarized and vandalized last year.

Additionally, Councilman D. Michael Collins claimed a mobile police surveillance camera placed at the old Leverette, 1111 East Manhattan Blvd., had stopped working and missed the crime back in October, because "no one bothered" to put gas into the generator that powers the cameras.

The proposed land swap is supposed to end a flap over renovating the home of the local Police Athletic League.

The Toledo Board of Education is expected to vote today in favor of the deal with the city that would trade the former Leverette gymnasium for Optimist Park, which is along Front Street and in front of Waite High School. Toledo City Council could vote on the deal next week.

"At some point, [the camera] ceased to operate," Mr. Collins said during council's agenda review meeting today. "Computers were stolen and I have come to find out the building was stripped of copper.... There was never a mention we have a significant issue with it being the victim of a crime."

Toledo Public Schools spokesman Patty Mazur said the break-in actually occurred at "portables" at the site, not the building, and that no copper was taken. a police report mentions copper was taken from the site, but lists its value as unknown.